Occupational Therapy License flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Activity analysis

Systematic breakdown of a task into steps, required client factors, performance skills, and context demands so the therapist can grade or adapt it to the client's ability.

Occupational profile

Client-centered summary of the person's roles, routines, interests, values, and contexts, used to set goals before analyzing performance deficits.

Just-right challenge

Activity demand matched slightly above current ability so the client practices emerging skills without failure, a core grading principle in intervention.

Grading an activity

Changing one variable at a time, such as time, assistance, object size, or complexity, to increase or decrease task demand during intervention.

Assistance level hierarchy

Ordered scale from independent through supervision, minimal, moderate, maximal, to total assistance; documentation should state the level and any device or cueing used.

Barthel Index

Standardized measure of independence in basic ADL and mobility; higher scores indicate greater independence and are used to track functional change.

Berg Balance Scale

Fourteen-item balance measure scored out of 56; scores near or below 45 are commonly associated with increased fall risk.

Manual muscle test grades

Zero to five scale: 3/5 means movement through full range against gravity only; 4/5 indicates movement against gravity with some resistance.

Model of Human Occupation

Frame of reference explaining occupational performance through volition, habituation, and performance capacity interacting with the environment.

Neurodevelopmental treatment

Bobath-based approach using handling and positioning to normalize tone and improve postural control and movement patterns after neurological injury.

Sensory integration approach

Ayres-derived intervention providing graded sensory input to improve processing and adaptive responses, often used in pediatric practice.

Biomechanical frame

Approach addressing range of motion, strength, and endurance to restore capacity for occupation when neurological recovery is not the primary target.

SMART goals

Goals stated as specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound; they anchor intervention and outcome documentation.

Informed consent

Client's voluntary agreement to evaluation or intervention after understanding purpose, risks, benefits, and alternatives; required before treatment begins.

HIPAA confidentiality

Federal rule limiting disclosure of protected health information; minimum necessary information is shared only for treatment, payment, or operations.

Mandated reporting

Legal duty to report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of children, older adults, or dependent persons to designated authorities.

Scope of practice

Boundaries of legally permitted services; tasks outside training or licensure must be referred or delegated with appropriate supervision.

COTA supervision requirements

Supervising OT sets the plan, monitors at intervals set by setting and payer, and remains responsible for services delivered by the assistant.

Plan of care adherence

COTA implements established goals, frequency, and modalities; changes to the plan require OTR re-evaluation or updated orders.

ADL retraining

Practice of self-care tasks such as dressing, bathing, toileting, and feeding using adaptive techniques and equipment to build independence.

IADL training

Intervention targeting complex tasks such as cooking, shopping, money management, medication routines, and community mobility.

Skilled documentation elements

Record date, intervention, client response, assistance level, progress toward goals, and communication with the supervising therapist in objective terms.

Stand-pivot transfer

Transfer in which the client bears weight through legs and pivots to the target surface; requires adequate strength, balance, and weight-bearing clearance.

Sliding board transfer

Transfer using a board between surfaces for clients who cannot bear weight through the legs; requires upper-extremity strength and trunk control.

Mechanical lift transfer

Transfer with a hoist and sling used when the client cannot safely assist or bear weight; verify sling fit and manufacturer limits first.

Gait belt use

Wide belt around the client's waist giving the assistant a secure hold during transfers and ambulation; applied over clothing and checked for tightness.

Weight-bearing status

Physician order such as non-weight-bearing, partial, or full weight-bearing that determines allowable transfers and mobility during sessions.

Preparatory activities

Tasks used to build underlying performance skills, such as fine motor or sequencing practice, before or alongside occupation-based training.

Group intervention role

COTA leads or co-leads groups, selects activities within the plan, and monitors individual responses, documenting each participant's performance.

Caregiver training

Educating family or attendants in safe techniques, equipment use, and cueing so gains carry into daily routines; documented as a skilled service.

Reporting change in status

Notifying the supervising OT promptly when the client's condition, pain, or function changes so the plan can be re-evaluated.

Discharge readiness

Judgment that goals are met or plateaued and the client can function safely in the next setting, communicated to the OTR for final decision.